News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, July 6, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Several area health care organizations agree that today's tough economic times can make staying healthy a challenge. The organizations provided tips for Ohioans to stay healthy.

Those organizations are: The Athletic Club of Columbus, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Dietetic Association, Lilly USA, Mental Health America of Franklin County, NAMI Ohio, Ohio Association of Free Clinics, Ohio Department of Health and Prevent Blindness Ohio.

Helping people live healthy lives is a top priority for these healthcare organizations, especially during today's tough economic times. In addition to providing 10 tips for staying healthy, the organizations participated in the Ohio Health Fair at the Ohio Statehouse in May which was presented by Mental Health America of Franklin County and Lilly USA.

The tips include:

    1. Seek balance in your life through energizing your body, engaging your
       passions, and enriching your mind. (The Athletic Club of Columbus)
    2. Anyone who has diabetes and hasn't attended a full Diabetes
       Self-Management Education series should call the Central Ohio Diabetes
       Association at (614) 884-4400 and register. It will make all the
       difference. (Central Ohio Diabetes Association)
    3. Keep a food journal. Recording what you eat can help you identify trouble
       spots in your day and find empty calories that are slowing your weight
       loss goals. A Registered Dietitian can help you make quick, easy
       recommendations to improve your health. (Ohio/Columbus Dietetic
       Association)
    4. Free health education materials to help people live healthy lives are
       available at www.lillyforbetterhealth.com. (Lilly USA)  This information
       includes "A Healthy You! - America's Guide to Healthy
       Living," a 148-page book that brings together a wide variety of
       health information from reliable sources. The Web site also features
       information about patient assistance programs for individuals who need
       help paying for their medications.
    5. Stay positive. Thinking negatively can drag down your mood and your
       health. But don't let that worry you. Experts say you can learn to
       be less gloomy. Don't assume the worst. Our fears often don't
       materialize. Ask yourself how realistic yours are. Keep a gratitude
       journal. Write down anything that makes you smile, like great
       relationships or special occasions. (Mental Health America of Franklin
       County)
    6. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's
       thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily
       functioning. Serious mental illnesses include major depression,
       schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic
       disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality
       disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is
       possible. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can
       experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an
       individual treatment plan. (NAMI Ohio)
    7. Concentrate on good nutrition. Cut the juice and go for the whole fruit
       instead. Whole fruit has been shown to satisfy hunger better than juice,
       with the added benefit of more fiber, vitamins and minerals. If you
       really want the liquid, make a smoothie using whole fruit instead of
       pouring a glass of juice. (Ohio Department of Health)
    8. Invest in your health. Being physically active can save you money in the
       long run by helping you avoid medical treatments later. Just about
       everyone can walk, and the only investment is a good pair of athletic
       shoes. Walking even for 10-15 minutes at a time, as with other types of
       physical activity, has also been shown to improve mood. (Ohio Department
       of Health)
    9. Quit smoking. If you smoke one pack a day at $5 a pack and quit, you will
       save $1,826 a year (Moneycentral.msn.com). For help quitting, call the
       Ohio Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. If you are ready to quit, we
       can help. (Ohio Department of Health)

    10. A healthy lifestyle and regular comprehensive eye care is the most
        cost-effective way to ensure healthy sight. Take these simple steps now
        to reduce the likelihood of eye disease later in life: eat healthy
        foods, exercise, monitor your health, don't smoke, and get a
        comprehensive eye exam on a regular basis. (Prevent Blindness Ohio)

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.

O-LLY

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

http://www.lillyforbetterhealth.com

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